Jobless rate continues to grow in Florida
Florida’s unemployment rate ticked up in January to 4.5 percent, a jump of 0.2 percent from December, data released Wednesday from the Department of Commerce show. The state added 23,800 private sector jobs over the month, but the trend for the last 12 months shows the state still down 9,000 positions. While jobs in education and health services, along with manufacturing, increased in the past year, all other major industry sectors shed jobs. Financial activities lost 9,200 positions, construction lost 8,800 jobs, and leisure and hospitality lost 4,800 workers. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Business Beat - Week of April 10th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Electronic waste is piling up; here’s how Florida is managing the surge
Electronic waste, including discarded phones and laptops, is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world. The U.S. does not impose federal regulations on e-waste disposal, relying instead on a patchwork of state laws. Florida is among the states where collection and processing decisions are left to local authorities. [Source: WUFT]
'Peak wildfire season' in now. How to protect your home or business
Don't expect this week's rain to improve conditions around the state. We've just started Florida's peak wildfire season and state Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Forest Service are urging residents to take steps now to be prepared for what is forecast to be an "extremely active peak wildfire season." [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]
Florida AG opens probe into OpenAI ahead of potential IPO
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier on Thursday launched an investigation into OpenAI and its chatbot ChatGPT, as the artificial intelligence firm prepares for an IPO that could value it at up to $1 trillion. Uthmeier said there were concerns about whether OpenAI's data and AI technologies could fall "into the hands of America's enemies, such as the Chinese Communist Party." Subpoenas to the company will be issued shortly. [Source: Reuters]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› A start-up to create nuclear energy units opens in Palm Beach Gardens
A start-up company with a novel idea to create and mass produce deployable nuclear energy units held a grand opening April 8 at its new headquarters in Palm Beach Gardens. "Now, we're building a new class of energy system," Ampera founder and CEO Brian Matthews said at his company's offices in the Gardens Innovation Center at PGA National Commerce Park before about 150 community leaders, elected officials and employees.
› St. John’s River habitat loss spurs grassroots restoration effort
The St. John’s River stretches more than 300 miles through Florida - the state’s largest freshwater resource - running from southern Brevard County north to Jacksonville. But beneath its scenic surface lies a troubling reality: The nonprofit St. John’s Riverkeeper says over 95% of all submerged aquatic vegetation along the entire river has disappeared, most of it lost in the last 20 years.
› AI focus lands UF on Forbes’ 2026 ‘New Ivies’ list
The University of Florida is among the 10 public universities on Forbes’ 2026 “New Ivies” list, released April 8. It marks the second time UF has earned the designation since the rankings debuted in 2024, after missing the list in 2025. The schools included in the rankings were described as leaders in AI adoption for their efforts to prepare students to work with artificial intelligence, including adapting curricula to meet job market needs.
› High gas prices convinced these Tampa Bay drivers to buy EVs
Last year, the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act hastened the end of federal tax credits for electric vehicles. The law ended the credit, which granted drivers up to $7,500, after Sept. 30, sending sales of EVs plummeting. But painfully high gas prices have changed the math for some local drivers who’ve decided that EVs are still the right financial move.
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› Florida Credit Union opens new corporate headquarters in Gainesville
Florida Credit Union opened its new corporate headquarters with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by business leaders from the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce. The new building will allow the credit union to bring multiple teams together in one space, paving the way for future growth.
› I-4 construction will finish in the summer of 2031, FDOT says
An end date is in sight for the ongoing construction on Interstate 4. For the first time on Thursday, the Florida Department of Transportation revealed a timeline for the series of $2.5 billion construction projects that began in January in the interstate’s busiest corridor in Osceola and Polk counties. During a presentation to the Central Florida Expressway Authority board, Will Watts, FDOT chief operating officer and assistant secretary said the projects will be complete in the summer of 2031, hopefully bringing the area long-awaited relief from traffic backups.
› U.S. Navy Blue Angels arrive on Space Coast to headline Cocoa Beach air show
Air Dot Show Cocoa Beach will be headlined by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels on April 10 and 11. Tens of thousands of spectators are expected to watch the free event along Cocoa Beach's shoreline. The air show lineup also includes a B-52 bomber, an F-16 Viper and a rescue demonstration by the 920th Rescue Wing.
› Sunseeker Resort targets meetings, convention tourism
Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau partnered with Sunseeker Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton, in March to host the Hilton Worldwide Sales Conference, aimed at promoting the resort and the broader destination, tourism official Lois Croft said. About 300 Hilton sales professionals attended the event, which showcased Sunseeker’s meeting and event capabilities while introducing attendees to Charlotte County’s waterfront amenities and attractions.